OFF SEASON ** U.S.A. 2019 Dir: Robert Cole 86 mins
After Lena helps a young girl with her injured knee, the girl’s mother invites her to earn some money working on a Martha’s Vineyard farm. Soon, Lena learns her feelings of dread may stem from the farm’s dark past.
Directed by Robert Cole and written by Erik Lieblein, OFF SEASON is a slow and plodding thriller betrayed primarily by uninspired writing. The story and pacing are achingly stagnant with little excitement or suspense to warrant the viewers time. However, in several aspects, the film has elements to be lauded. The acting is quite respectable especially by lead Jessica Cadden Osborne (Lena) and Amanda Good Hennessey (Becca). Veteran actor Chance Kelly (Kellen) also gives a strong performance. The music is well chosen and helps set the sense of foreboding the writing was unable to convey. The setting is beautiful, and the camerawork is fine with only one or two early framing issues. For a thriller, OFF SEASON offers little in terms of thrills. Several killings which should lead to a building of shock and tension are given almost no significance within the plot. There are no intense surprises or scares and the reveal at the end will likely be wasted due to indifference. OFF SEASON is a puzzle of a film, one possessing intriguing pieces but revealing a disappointing complete picture.
Review by “Big” Al Sievertson